The Close of Challenge XVI - Final Three for 30K Killteam

Brushes down and lift your paint water in a toast to the conclusion of Challenge XVI!

With 743 entries submitted over 13 weeks, we've managed to paint an insane amount of minis and terrain!

We also hit another landmark mid-Challenge with the submission odometer ticking past 10,000 entries since Challenge V (back in 2012). So, I'm pretty chuffed about that.

I was hoping for something a bit more in-theme for my last post, but time ran away from me and as a result I've circled back to one of my earlier entries to do a final flourish.

This is the final three figures for my 30K Killteam, built around the Shattered Legions storyline.

As I mentioned in my original post, this squad is meant to depict a group of survivors from the Dropsite Massacre. My crew is mostly made up of Raven Guard, but two of this trio are from the Iron Hands and Salamander Legions.

Similar to the first three figures, I've really dirtied these guys up, reflecting the desperate out-of-supply, out-of-support situation they are operating in. Each is sporting a jet pack as I wanted to depict a very mobile Assault cadre, conducting hit-and-run missions behind enemy lines.

The Raven Guard figure required it to be mounted on a flying base, which I sourced from my magnetised stocks.

Crossed fingers on his continued survivability, but I'm not entirely confident. Nevertheless, he's armed with power claw back-scratchers so at least he'll go down fighting.

Next is a Iron Hands 'Immortal'. These guys are breacher specialists meant to serve in the front ranks, soaking up fire with their enormous shields.

Accordingly, I heavily scarred up his shield and power armour to give him the look of a grizzled, shot-magnet, veteran.

Finally we have a Salamander 'Pyroclast' officer. These lunatics loooove heat-based weapons and huge honkin' hammers (you know, as one does).

Again, he's very grimy and sooty, ready to BBQ heretics with his flamer and then pound them into paste with his tenderizer. Funny thing is, in the 30K universe these guys are the most temperate and emotionally balanced of all the Legions. Yep, GrimDark indeed...

And a final shot of the Killteam as a whole, with Greg's wonderful Optae in centerstage.

These three fellas will provide me with a very modest 15 points, but I'll happily take them as, hey, the weren't done a few days ago and that's what the Challenge is all about, right?! Right.

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In closing, I wish to take cap in hand and give a deep bow to our marvellous Minions: (in alphabetical order): Byron, Dallas, Dave, Greg, Millsy, Peter, Sander and Sylvain. To all of you, thank you so much for keeping this silly event moving in one direction - It goes without saying (but I always will) that I could not have done it without you.

Finally my thanks to all our participants. This event would be nothing without your participation, talent and good nature. It was an absolute treat to spend the winter with you all painting figures and having a great time.

I ask all participants to email me your three nominations for Challengers' Choice (deadline end of day, March 29th). From that list I'll post a voting poll and on April 19th we'll make the announcements for Challenger's Choice, Sarah's Choice and my own Snowlord's Choice.

Finally, as per tradition, I invite our Challengers to post a final round-up shot of what they managed to achieve this year. Come now, don't be shy in showing your hard work and fabulousness! 

Best

- Curt